Guy wire protector



Feb. 4, 1936. Y H. E. MILLER R- 19,345

GUY WI RE PROTECTOR Original Filed Feb. 28, 1931 Reissued Feb. 4, 19364UNITED STATES 16 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to guy wire protectors, and is an improvementlover the structure disclosed in my copending application Serial No.504,920, filed December 26, 1930.

As stated in my copending application referred to, the commonly employedsheet metal coverings for guy wires are fairly satisfactory inoperation, but possess two serious disadvantages. In the first place,considerable labor is involved in placing the devices in position andsecuring them to the guy wires, and it is necessary to providerelatively expensive fastening means, such as U-bolts and similardevices, for securing the protectors in position.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a guy wireprotector which is simple in construction and cheap to manufacture,V andwhich may be placed in position without the use of separate fasteningelements.

A further object is to provide a guy wire protector of unitaryconstruction which may be readily and quickly placed in position andwill remain in such position until removed.

A further object is to provide means for anchoring the lower end of theprotector by utilizing a portion of the fastening means usually providedior securing the guy wire to its anchor, and to provide means forutilizing the guy wire itself for anchoring the upper end of theprotector.

A further object is to provide novel means at the upper end of theprotector for engaging the guy wire to prevent lateral movement of theprotector, and which means permits the protector to be quickly andeasily placed in operative position.

A further object is to provide a novel guy Wire protector which may bequickly and easily placed in operative position without the use ofseparate fastening elements and which will remain tightly in positionfor an indenite length of time without rattling or becoming loose.

Other objects andradvantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawing I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In thisshowing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the device in operative position,

Figure 2 is a central transverse sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure l, and,

Figure 4 is a similar view on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

PATENT oFFlcE GUY WIRE PROTECTOR Herbert E. Miller, Allentown, Pa.,assigner to Utilities Service Company, Inc., Allentown, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Original No. 1,902,414, dated March 21,1933,

Serial No. 519,187, February 28, 1931. Application for reissue October26, 1934, Serial No.

(Cl. 18S-31.5)

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates the body of thedevice which is preferably formed of sheet metal, and substantiallycylindrical in cross section. The body is split throughout its length asat I I to provide a space for the insertion of the guy wire. The lowerend of the split II is flared outwardly as shown in Figure 1. The bodyis provided with an inwardly stamped portion I2 forming a seat I3 for apurpose to be described. Substantially centrally of the seat I3, theedges of the body are cut away to provide a bolt receiving opening Il'.

The bottom of the body I0 is open, as shown' in Figure 2, while the topof the body is closed by a cap I5. This cap is preferably formed ofstamped steel and is welded to the body I0 as at IE or otherwise securedas by riveting. 'I'he cap I5 is provided with a slot I1 forming acontinua.- tion of the split II in the body. A retaining member I8 iscarried by the cap I5. This retaining member has an upwardly extendingarm I9 arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the body I0 and isprovided at its upper end with a laterally extending arm 20 spaced fromthe top of the cap I5. The retaining member is provided with a foot 2|seating against and welded or otherwise secured to the cap I5 to oneside of the slot I1.

'I'he device is shown in position on the guy Wire and its associatedelements. The guy wire is indicated by the numeral 22, and near thebottom of the body I0, this wire passes around a thimble 23. The freeend of the guy Wire is secured to the body thereof by complementaryclamping members 24 of the conventional type, the two sections of theclamp being secured together by bolts 25. Each bolt 25 carries a nut 26beneath which is preferably arranged a washer 21.

An anchor rod 28 is adapted to secure the guy wire to the ground. Theanchor rod is of the conventional type having an eye 29 at its upper endengaging the thirnble 23.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The guy wire is erected in the usual manner except that one of the nuts26 and its washer 21 are not applied to the corresponding bolt. The bodyof the device is then placed in position by arranging the body in altilted position with the guy wire between the arm 20 and the top of thecap I5, and with the split I I opening downwardly. The operationreferred'to takes place with theA body arrangd wholly above the guy wireclamp, after which the body I0 is swung inwardly and downwardly untilthe guy wire is arranged wholly within the body.

After the guy wire has been arranged within the body in the mannerreferred to, the body is moved downwardly longitudinally of the guy wireuntil the free end of the proper bolt 25 snaps into the opening II Thisoperation takes place with the axes of the bolts 25 arranged in a planeparallel to the seat I3, that is, with the bolts arranged at rightangles totheir relative positions shown in Figure 2. Thus the body maybe moved to a position wherein the desired bolt 25 is arranged in thetransverse plane o-f the opening I I', whereupon the body may berevolved and the extended end of the bolt inserted through the opening.'Ihe remaining washer 21 and nut 26 are then applied to the bolt, andthe device is completely assembled.

It will be noted that the seat I3 engages flat against the outer face ofone of the sections of the clamp, and that the bolt which secures thebody to the clamp holds these elements permanently in fixed relationwith respect to each other. It also will be noted that the guy wire willbe arranged centrally of the body. Accordingly the device does not needthe provision of any separate fastening means but utilizes one of thebolts already provided in the conventional clamp in order that the bodymay be permanently fixed in position. It also will be apparent thatlooseness and rattling of the body will be effectively prevented.

It will be noted that the member I8 does not function as a securinghook, but purely as a retaining element. The space between the arm 20and the top of the cap I5 permits the device to be placed in operativeposition in the manner referred to, while the lateral distance betweenthe arm 20 and the inner extremity of the slot I1 corresponds to thediameter of the guy wire to prevent any lateral movement of the body inone direction with respect to the guy wire. Of course, the slot I1prevents lateral movement of the upper end of the body in everydirection except in alinement with the slot I1.

While the device has been shown connected to the lowermost bolt 25, itwill be apparent that it may be connected to any of the bolts, it merelybeing necessary that the free end of the bolt to which the body isconnected extend downwardly. It also will be apparent that several ofthe depressions I2 and their seats I3 may be provided in the body I0, ifdesired. With the slit II opening downwardly, the interior of the bodyand the elements therein willl be effectively protected against rain,snow, etc.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the device is completelyunitary and self contained, and it may be quickly and readily placed inoperative position around a guy wire. The device permits marked economyin manufacture, and also permits a great saving to be effected in thelabor cost involved in its installation.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a longitudinal bodysplit to permit the insertion of a guy wire therein, means for xing thelower portion of said body against movement with respect to the guywire, a cap at the upper end of said body provided with a slot extendingfrom the split in the body to a point substantially centrally of thecap, and a xed retaining device adapted to contact with the guy wire ata point spaced from the cap longitudinally with respect to said body.

2. A device of the character described comprising a longitudinal bodysplit to permit the insertion of a guy wire therein, means for fixingthe lower portion of said body against movement with respect to the guywire, a cap at the upper end of said body provided with a slot extendingfrom the split in the body to a point substantially centrally of thecap, and a retaining device having its lower end fixed to said cap andits upper end extending transversely of the guy wire and adapted tocontact therewith at the side thereof opposite the inner end of saidslot and at a. point spaced from said cap.

3. A device of the character described comprising a longitudinal bodysplit to permit the linsertion of a guy wire therein, means foranchoring the lower end of the body against movement with respect to theguy Wire, a cap at the upper end or said body provided with a slotextending from the split in the body to a point centrally of the cap,and a retaining member including a longitudinal shank at one side ofsaid slot secured vto the cap and a transverse integral arm spaced fromthe cap and adapted to contact with the guy wire at a point opposite theinner end of 4said 4. A device of the character described comprising asubstantially cylindrical sheet metal body split longitudinallythroughout its length to permit the insertion of a guy wire therein,means for anchoring the lower end of the body against movement withrespect to the guy wire, a stamped sheet metal cap secured to the upperend of said body and provided with a slot extending from the split inthe body to a point centrally of the cap, and a sheet metal member forretaining the upper end of the body against movement with respect to theguy wire, said member including a foot secured to the cap at one side ofthe slot therein, a shank extending upwardly from said footlongitudinally of the body, and an arm extending laterally from theupper end of said shank at a point spaced from said cap and adapted tocontact with the guy wire at the side thereof opposite the inner end ofsaid slot.

5. A device of the character described coin,-

prising a, longitudinal b ody split throughout its v length to permitthe insertion of a guy wire there-V in, said body being stamped inwardlyadjacent its lower end to provide a flat relatively long s eat adaptedto engage against the outer face of one section of the guy wire clampand having an opening for the free end of one of the clamp bolts topermit the nut thereof to be turned inwardly against the outer face ofthe seat, a cap at the upper end of said body provided with a slotextending from the split inthe body to a point substantially centrallyof the cap, and a retaining device xed with respect to said cap andhaving a portion adapted to contact with the guy wire at a point spacedabove the cap at the side of the wire opposite the inner end of saidslot.

6. The combination with a guy wire having an anchor, a two-piece clampfor securing the guy wire to the anchor, and fastening bolts for theclamp, of a split longitudinal body adapted to receive the guy wire,said body being stamped inwardly adjacent its lower end to provide afiat seat of substantial area adapted to engage against having anopening for the free end of one of the clamp bolts to permit the nutthereof to be turned inwardly against the outer face of the seat, and aretaining device fixed with respect to said body and adapted to positionthe upper end of the latter with the guy wire arranged centrallythereof.

7. The combination with a guy wire having an anchor, a two-piece clampfor securing the guy wire to the anchor, and fastening bolts for theclamp, of a split longitudinal body adapted to receive the guy Wire,said body being -stamped inwardly adjacent its lower end to provide afiat seat of substantial area adapted to engage against the outer faceof one section of the clamp and having ,an opening for the free end ofone of the clamp bolts to permit the nut thereof to be turned inwardlyagainst the outer face of the seat, a cap at the upper end of said bodyprovided with a slot extending from the split in the body to a pointsubstantially centrally of the cap, and a retaining device fixed withrespect to said cap and adapted to contact with the guy wire at a pointspaced above the top of the cap to hold the latter with the guy wirearranged in the inner end of said slot.

8. The combination with a guy wire having an anchor, a two-piece clampfor securing the guy wire to the anchor, and fastening bolts for theclamp, of a split longitudinal body adapted to receive the guy wire,said body being stamped inwardly adjacent its lower end to provide aflat seat of substantial area adapted to engage against the outer faceof one section of the clamp and having an opening for the free end ofone of the clamp bolts to permit the nut thereof to be turned inwardlyagainst the outer face of the seat, a cap secured to the upper end ofsaid body and provided with a slot extending from the split in the bodyto a point substantially centrally of the cap, and a retaining devicehaving its lower end xed to said cap and its upper end extendingtransverely of the guy wire and adaptedto contact therewith at the sidethereof opposite the inner end of said slot and .at a point spaced fromsaid cap.

9. The combination with a guy wire having an anchor, a two-piece clampfor securing the guy wire to the anchor, and fastening bolts for theclamp, of a substantially cylindrical sheet metal body splitlongitudinally to receive the guy wire, said body being stamped inwardlyadjacent its lower end to provide a flat seat of substantial areaadapted to engage against the outer face of one section of the clamp andhaving an opening for the free end of one of the clamp bolts to permitthe nut thereof to be turned inwardly against the outer` face of theseat, a cap secured to the upper end of said body and provided with aslot extending from the split in the body to a point substantiallycentrally of the cap, and a retaining device comprising an integralmember having a foot portion secured to said cap, a shank extendingupwardly from the cap at one side of said slot, and a transverse arm atthe upper end of said shank spaced from said cap and adapted to contactwith the guy wire at the side thereof opposite the inner end of saidslot.

10. A device of the character described cornprising an elongated sheetmetal body split longitudinally to receive a guy Wire, said body beingstamped inwardly adiacent its lower end to provide a flat seat ofsubstantial area adapted to engage against the outer face of one sectionof the clamp and having an opening for the free 'the outer face of onesection of the clamp and end of one of the clamp bolts to permit the nutthereof to be turned inwardly against the outer face of the seat, andmeans for fixing the upper end of said body against lateral movementwith respect to the guy wire.

l1. A device of the character described comprising an elongated sheetmetal body split longitudinally to receive a guy wire, said body beingstamped inwardly adjacent its lower end to provide a flat seat ofsubstantial area adapted to engage against the outer face of one sectionof the clamp and having an opening for the free end of one of the clampbolts to permit the nut thereof to be turned inwardly against the outerface of the seat, and a retaining device fixed with respect to said bodyand adapted to position the upper end of the latter with the guy wirearranged centrally thereof.

^12. A guy guard comprising a trough-shaped length of material adaptedto be positioned around a clamped strand, a depression in said lengthhaving an opening therein and means for fastening said length to thestrand clamp through f said opening, said depression nesting saidfastening means to prevent substantial protrusion thereof above the meansurface of said length of material.

13. A guy guard comprising a trough-shaped length of material adapted tobe positioned around a clamped strand, a depression in said lengthhaving an opening therein and means for fastening said length to thestrand clamp through said opening, said depression nesting saidfastening means to prevent substantial protrusion thereof above the meansurface of said length of material, said depression being between theends of said length.

14. In combination, a guy Wire structure including a guy wire and aplurality of structural elements for clamping and anchoring said guywire, a guy guard adapted to be positioned over said guy wire, adepression in said guy guard having an opening therein, and means,including a portion carried by said guy wire structure independently ofsaid guy guard, for attaching said guy guard to said guy wire structurethrough said opening, said depression nesting a portion of saidattaching means to prevent substantial protrusion of the attaching meansabove the mean surface of said guy guard, said attaching means having aportion overlying a portion of said guy guard adjacent said opening.

15. In combination, a guy wire structure including a guy wire and aplurality of structural elements for clamping and anchoring said guywire, a guy guard adapted to be positioned over said guy wire, adepression in said guy guard having an opening therein, and means,including a member carried by one of said structural elementsindependently of said guy guard, for attaching said guy guard to saidAguy wire structure through said opening, said depression nesting aportion of said attaching means to prevent substantial protrusion of theattaching means above the mean surface of said guy guard, said attachingmeans having va portion overlying a portion of said guy guard adjacentsaid opening.

16. In combination, a guy `wire structure including a guy wire and aplurality of structural elements for clamping and anchoring said guywire, a guy guard adapted to be positioned over said guy wire, adepression in said guy guard having an opening therein, and meansincluding a portion carried by said guy wire structure inde- -penientlyof 4sazid'guy guard for attaching said attaching meansabovethvmeansurface of'sai'd i'gy-gua'rd to Vsaid-'guy wire structure,said means `gy Jgua'rd, said attaching rmeztns having y'asporincluding asingle end Yportion insertable through 'tio'n overlying a-p0rti0n 0f'Said guyguard 'adjasagid opening 'from within said guy guard, said centsaid'pening.

,5 depression nesting a, portion of Said attaching HERBERT E. .l5 hmeansto 'prevent substantial prbtrusion of the

